Road Cycling Essentials

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Trifid said:
My bikes developed a clicking sound on the down stroke of my left peddle when pushing on. Does anyone have an idea of what might be the problem? It only happens when pushing on a bit or going up hill not when going a consistent speed on level ground. Cheers.
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I had a similar thing on my bike last weekend - a pinging or ticking sound that would sometimes appear under power. Found out I could replicate the sound by grabbing both pedals, bracing the frame with my body and applying force sideways.

Took both the crank arms off, found out I could just about nip the bottom bracket up a fraction of a turn either side, then reassembled everything good and tight - no more noise :)
 
arknor said:
In this video, which one is you then like? :p
http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/watch-english-defence-league-march-7134152

I went through leazes park on Saturday and wondered why there were 4 riot vans and about 20 coppers parked up on one of the fields sun bathing...

Guess they were waiting for you and your buddies :P

BTW has anyone else noticed now the summer is here loads of police are everywhere?

Even one of the paths along the river that must take about an hour on foot had a police officer out for a nice Saturday morning walk in the sun....

I've saw a few riot vans patrolling the local parks as well and they are tiny parks... you can do a lap on a bike in about 3 minutes.

cops just driving around eyeing up the sun bathers?
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Pft :p

Though I did notice absolutely tons of police around on the Saturday when I arrived. I didn't realise the reason.
 
OK quick question guys.

Its my birthday coming up in July (27 HURRAH!) and I am looking at the misses getting me a GPS/garmin device for my bikes.

Has anyone got any they are getting rid of for an upgrade?

Failing that I am torn on what to get?

The Garmin 510 looks nice but not sure if its super overkill for me or not.
 
Musty Pie said:
OK quick question guys.

Its my birthday coming up in July (27 HURRAH!) and I am looking at the misses getting me a GPS/garmin device for my bikes.

Has anyone got any they are getting rid of for an upgrade?

Failing that I am torn on what to get?

The Garmin 510 looks nice but not sure if its super overkill for me or not.
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if you just want to track your rides get garmin 200, if you want basic navigation and some other extras get 510..

if you want full navigation etc get 800(810 imo is not worth the extra)
 
I am tempted by the 200 as its cheap.

I guess its a good starting device then I can always upgrade in the future if needed and keep the spare for the MTB.

I don't think I will need navi to start with, if at all.

The connection to phone and app is very appealing on the 510 though.
 
Musty Pie said:
I am tempted by the 200 as its cheap.

I guess its a good starting device then I can always upgrade in the future if needed and keep the spare for the MTB.

I don't think I will need navi to start with, if at all.

The connection to phone and app is very appealing on the 510 though.
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The good thing about a GPS device is that you dont need any wheel speed sensors of things like that, so there's no need to have 1 device for each bike. You get a couple of mounts with it and it swaps between bikes very easily.

I dont really see the point in the phone integration of the 510. If your going to be using your phone anyway, why not just get a tracker app and forget about the garmin completely?
 
well I ended up buying a merida cx4 2014 but won't have it until the 3rd of June because apparently everyone is buying bikes so unless someone cancels...
Fork Carbon cyclo cross fork
Derailleur Front Shimano 105 D
Derailleur Rear Shimano 105 SS
Shifter Front Shimano 105
Shifter Rear Shimano 105
Brake Lever On Bar Lever additional
Brake Front Hayes CX Expert 160 mm
Brake Rear Hayes CX Expert 140 mm
Chainwheel FSA Gossamer Cross 46-36 Mega
Chainguard no
Bbset attached
Chain KMC X10 10s
Hub Front Road Disc Bearing
Hub Rear Road Disc Bearing
Rim Merida Pro D
Freewheel Shimano CS-4600-10 12-28
Tires Continental Cyclocross Race 35 fold / Continental Cyclocross Race 35 fold
Spokes black stainless
Handlebar Stem Merida Pro OS -5°
Handlebar Merida Road Pro Classic OS
Headset Orbit X
Seat Post Merida Pro H SB15 27.2 mm
Saddle Merida Pro SI
Pedal no
Weight 10.30 kg
2BvEIG6.jpg


Never heard of merida did I make a big mistake lol?
surely be more fun than my hybrid is anyway and I can always buy another bike next summer, maybe even a proper road bike next time :p

apparently cannondale stop making cx bikes during the off season and won't be making any more until the 2015 models? sounds like BS to get a sale? he did phone and check but said he could only get the sora model in my size.

I couldn't be bothered checking other shops and that one is only 5 minutes away so if I have any issues it's not a headache taking my bike miles away.
Also the reason I'm not keen on buying one online as it's so much easier to get help in person.


They did have a cannondale road bike with 105 that fit me on display but the skinny tyres scare me :D just sitting on it felt unstable and it was freakishly light feeling to me

Not sure what this is but it's not cheap
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There were a bunch of other 4-5k bikes in there as well
Nice commuter tyres
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:D
 
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We bought my gf the £300 white triban on saturday and for a cheap bike it looks very nice. Went out for a steady 10 miles for her first ride on saturday. Then went out again on Sunday Morning but she got about half a mile then turned round because her fanny hurt??? Women.
 
yea seems odd for the front to have a bigger rotor than the rear?

ahh well £100 cheaper than the caadx105 anyway and seems comparable spec to me and only a tiny biy heavier but I still need to shift 1-2 stone anyway so not like bike weight makes any difference to me.

A lot uglier though :| although it looked better in person than on that photo

Oddly enough the guy didn't ask if I needed to buy any accessories to go with it and I gave him the impression it was my first bike lol
 
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Merida sponsor team Lampre in the World Tour series and they build about a third if all the bikes coming out of Taiwan (including all of Specialized). They have always been a very good designer / manufacturer and decided to launch themselves as a consumer brand a few years ago.

Good choice.
 
arknor said:
Never heard of merida did I make a big mistake lol?
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Merida are huge.

There are only 4-5 manufacturers of carbon frames and sell them to other manufacturers. This includes Merida + Giant, who are the only 2 of them who also sell frames under their own name.
Merida only started selling frames under their own name quite recently (well, 3-4 years ago i think) so that will be why you have never heard of them.
 
arknor said:
yea seems odd for the front to have a bigger rotor than the rear?
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This is not unusual. You want the front brake to be more powerful than the rear. If you grab them both with the same force, your weight moves forward as you slow down and less weight over the rear wheel = less grip and more chance of locking up. So having a less powerful rear brake compared to the front actually gives better braking efficiency (or makes it easier to use the brakes efficiently, at least)
 
touch said:
This is not unusual. You want the front brake to be more powerful than the rear. If you grab them both with the same force, your weight moves forward as you slow down and less weight over the rear wheel = less grip and more chance of locking up. So having a less powerful rear brake compared to the front actually gives better braking efficiency (or makes it easier to use the brakes efficiently, at least)
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The main issue I have with 140mm rears is that there are slightly less options for changing out the brakes. I don't think it's as bad now as it was a couple of years ago though.
 
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